iOS 18.1 is followed by the update to iOS 18.2 just a few weeks later. With the new software version, the manufacturer continues the rollout of Apple Intelligence functions, but also brings some functions specifically for the EU. iPhone users can, among other things, remove additional system apps – and all sorts of other things.
iOS 18.2: EU continues to gut Apple's iPhones
While Apple is expanding its AI capabilities with iOS 18.2 and making it available in individual English in additional regions such as Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, Apple Intelligence remains poor in the EU. Only Macs with M processors are equipped with the AI functions with macOS from version 15.1.
However, iPhone users in the EU will not go completely empty-handed with the update to iOS 18.2. Instead of AI, she gets extensive options to kick system apps from her iPhones (and iPads).
iOS 18.2: Users in the EU will be able to ban the App Store from their iPhone and iPad in the future. (Screenshot: t3n)
As announced a few weeks ago, users in the EU can delete the App Store, the camera app, as well as Safari, the news app and photos. These will be easier to replace with alternatives in the future. To manage standard apps such as browsers, messages, mail, password managers and others, Apple has integrated a corresponding sub-item in the app management in the settings.
iOS 18.2 centralizes the management of standard apps. (Screenshots: t3n)
Users who have deleted the app store from their device can reinstall it using the default app management. Standard apps such as messages, camera and others can be found in the App Store for reinstallation after deletion, according to Apple.
These changes aim to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA requires gatekeepers to allow users to uninstall any apps they want.
For all users, Apple is bringing a redesigned mail app with “smart categorization,” as 9 to 5 Mac writes.
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iOS 18.2: New Find My feature for lost items
With the update to iOS 18.2, Apple is also adding a practical function to the “Find My” network. This is intended to make finding lost items easier by allowing users to share the location of a lost item with third parties.
Where is?: With iOS 18.2 you can, among other things, share a link to your lost Airtags. (Image: Apple)
If you use the feature, you can create a link to share the lost item in the Find My app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Once you share the link with someone, they will have access to an interactive map showing the item's location. Apple says the website will automatically update if the lost item moves. A timestamp is also displayed showing when it was last moved. The feature should make it easier to find a lost piece of luggage, says Apple.
According to Apple, the new tracking function will be deactivated immediately as soon as you have found your lost item. You can also stop sharing an Airtag's location manually at any time. The link expires automatically after seven days, according to the manufacturer.
Where is?: The “Share object location” function can be opened via a browser. (Image: Apple)
As Apple writes, 15 airlines support the function. These include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United , Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. Airlines may adopt Apple's Find My locations to “locate mishandled or delayed bags.” It is said that more airlines will be added over time.
iPhone 16: Camera control gets new functions
Since the announcement of the iPhone 16 family, it has been clear that Apple wanted to improve the camera controls with a follow-up update. With the update you now get the promised focusing and focus lock functions.
With iOS 18.2, Apple is adding, among other things, the AE/AF lock for the camera control of the iPhone 16. (Screenshot: t3n)
In order to focus on the object in front of the lens, similar to a SLR camera, all you have to do under iOS 18.2 is gently press the camera button. The new focus and exposure lock (AE/AF lock) must be activated in the camera settings before using it for the first time. The function can then be switched on or off with a long press on the camera control. These help you always keep the object in focus when making videos, or if you want to take several photos of an object.
The update also brings a function to adjust the double-click interval of the camera controls. The new options include Standard, Slow, and Slower.
iPhone 16: Camera control gets new options with iOS 18.2. (Screenshots: t3n)
iOS 18.2: Apple Intelligence gets ChatGPT integration
With iOS 18.2, Apple continues the integration of Apple Intelligence functions. After the first features that will be introduced with iOS 18.1, the manufacturer is now introducing the Genmoji function announced at WWDC 2024, with which you can create your own emojis, as well as the “Image Playground”. This tool allows you to generate completely new images using a command prompt. The writing tools should also receive new functions.
ChatGPT is moving into Siri with iOS 18.2. (Image: Apple)
The update also brings the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into Siri. This allows Siri to forward requests to ChatGPT that Apple's assistant cannot process itself.
For example, if you ask Siri to create a travel itinerary, Siri can forward the request to ChatGPT's AI models and have it answered. Before sharing it with ChatGPT, Siri must give it explicit permission to respect privacy.
The iPhone 16 models also receive “Visual Intelligence”. With this feature you can activate the camera on the lock screen, take a photo and get information about what you see. The whole thing sounds similar to Google's Lens function.
Apple Intelligence remains only available in English for the time being, but with iOS 18.2, other regions such as Great Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand will be added in addition to US English. According to Apple, further localizations – including a German one – are being worked on, but these are not expected until 2025.
What else does iOS 18.2 bring?
The update for compatible iPhones has numerous other functions in store: It brings revised icons in the settings for all users that match the color of the home screen. In addition, the dark mode has become a shade darker.
The list of innovations is even longer. It includes, among other things, practical functions such as a full-screen mode for videos in the Photos app, a progress bar on the lock screen for downloads via the Safari browser and the return of the volume control on the lock screen.
Other new features:
The new version also fixes some bugs:
Apple says it will fix an issue where recently taken photos don't immediately appear in the All Photos grid. Also a bug where night mode photos in the camera can be affected at long exposure times – this primarily affects the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2 will be released on December 11, 2024
As Apple writes in the announcement, in addition to iOS 18.2, updates to iPadOS 18.2 and macOS 1.52 for iPads and Macs are also available for installation.
Even though iPhones and iPads in the EU are excluded from Apple Intelligence functions, they are also included in this country on Macs from macOS version 15.1. However, you have to set your Macs to US English.
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